The First Lady of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Buhari on Friday donated special bus to Para Sports athletes.
The presentation ceremony by Ministry of Youth and Sports Development took place at the VIP Lounge, Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja. The Ministry in the early hour of Friday handed the bus to Para-sports athletes.
The bus was presented to the Ministry of Sports by Future Assured Foundation which is owned by Mrs Aisha Buhari.
The Nigeria First Lady who was represented by Victoria Ogala at the event said achievements of para athletes in various sports drew her attention to donating the bus to them to ease their movement. She however encouraged well-meaning Nigerians to toe the same line of benevolence.
“First and foremost, Nigeria Paralympic in all categories have proven to the world that there is ability in disability. I wish to congratulate the Honourable Minister of Sports for putting in place policies that put para-sports in the mainstream. These achievements have further confirmed the flexibility of President Muhammadu Buhari adminstration. “It is noteworthy that one of the agencies of Federal government that has assisted in driving the agenda of wealth creation for youth especially people living with disability in this adminstration is Ministry of Sports. I am proud to be identified with the Ministry of Sports for its laudable achievements and its contribution to the successes of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.” She concluded.
Also speaking, Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare was happy with the donation adding that the gesture will go a long way in encouraging the athletes in winning more medals.
“I am pleased to welcome you all to this epoch-making event, which marks yet another era in the annals of history of sports development in Nigeria.
“As you are all aware, sports in Nigeria is an invincible endeavour that has been employed as a veritable tool for National Unity, Cohesion, Peace, Progress
and International Diplomacy. Since the inception of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), there has been paradigm shift in the management of sports sector. It is imperative to inform you that another parameter to measure the commitment of the Federal Government to the sector was the establishment of a new Department known as National Sports Festival
and Para Sports to oversee and coordinate para sports in Nigeria.
“It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the Management and Staff of
Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to express our sincere
gratitude to Her Excellency for the unflinching support you have been giving to Para Sports in Nigeria.
“It is important to note that this gesture from the mother of the Nation, Mrs. Aisha Buhari in her magnanimity, to donate a Bus to Nigeria Para Sports is a watershed that has further confirmed the commitment to the progressive spirit of ‘leaving no one behind’ of the present administration.
“It is on record that Para Athletes have done Nigeria proud in many of their competitions and won a number of laurels that would not be forgotten in a hurry.
“The donation will no doubt boost the morale of the Athletes as well as motivate them to achieve more podium success. I wish to assure you all that para sports occupy the pride of place in the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the in-coming Administration will continue to promote this policy of inclusivity to all Nigerians.
“Her Excellency, the passion you have for Para-sports also have made you
to sponsor the last 2019 World Para Powerlifting Championship here in Abuja, Nigeria.
Let me use this opportunity to call on well-meaning Nigerians to invest in
sports and support our Athletes via our various policies such as Athletes’
Adoption. On this note, I wish to appreciate the First Lady for the donation of this Bus and assure her that the vehicle will be maintained to project the good image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”